Compartment for a withdrawable module

ABSTRACT

A slide-in compartment for receiving a module includes: a receiving opening; a compartment base; and a roof. The compartment base and the roof are identical components. In an embodiment, at least one side wall is provided, which has two guide webs, and a lower guide web is assigned to or faces the compartment base and an upper guide web is assigned to or faces the roof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2018/058620, filed on Apr. 4, 2018, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention relates to a slide-in compartment for receiving a module,comprising a receiving opening, a compartment base and a roof.

BACKGROUND

Modules are known from the prior art which can be inserted intoswitchgear cabinets and can be removed from these again. Such modulescan be inserted into a switchgear cabinet in the manner of a drawer andremoved from this again. Modules of this type can carry electricalequipment, accommodate electrical equipment or be configured as such.

In practice there is a need for slide-in compartments and/or housings orcabinets which can be constructed as easily as possible, into which suchmodules can be inserted and removed again.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a slide-in compartmentfor receiving a module, comprising: a receiving opening; a compartmentbase; and a roof, wherein the compartment base and the roof areconfigured as identical components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in even greater detail belowbased on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to theexemplary embodiments. Other features and advantages of variousembodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading thefollowing detailed description with reference to the attached drawingswhich illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a module which has a front wall and arear wall, wherein the front wall and the rear wall are interconnectedby four strip parts,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed view of a strip part which isconfigured to be Y-shaped and

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a slide-in compartment in which the moduleaccording to FIG. 1 can be inserted and

FIG. 4 shows a detailed and sectional view of the slide-in compartmentaccording to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a slide-in compartmentwhich is constructed with as few components as possible.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a slide-in compartmenthaving the features described herein. According to this, the initiallysaid slide-in compartment is wherein the compartment base and the roofare configured as identical components.

According to the invention, a special roof or roof panel on the upperside of each slide-in compartment is dispensed with. The upper boundaryis formed by the compartment base of a second slide-in compartment lyingabove a first slide-in compartment. This has the result that theinstallation space can be used more effectively and material is saved.Only the last, quasi-uppermost slide-in compartment at the upper end ofthe housing requires an additional roof as upper cover. As a result, astructure of a slide-in compartment having few components isimplemented.

Advantageously at least one side wall is provided, which has two guidewebs, wherein a lower guide web is assigned to or facing the compartmentbase and an upper guide web is assigned to or facing the roof. Guidelegs of a module can lie or rest on these guide webs and be preventedfrom moving up and down. The guide webs are the short legs of a U-shapedside wall. A guide web can act as guide counter-element for the module.

Further advantageously the side wall is assigned a wall strip on thecompartment base side and the side wall is assigned a wall strip on theroof side. The wall strips guide the guide legs laterally. In thisrespect, a wall strip can also act as guide counter-element for themodule.

Advantageously the wall strip receives a spring element which extends inthe direction of the interior of the slide-in compartment. A springelement can consist of metal or plastic. It is used to compensate forlateral tolerance of the module. A force is applied laterally to themodule by a spring element. If a spring element is made of metal, itassists the earthing of the module.

Further advantageously the compartment base has a recess for receivinggrid-like parts. These grid-like parts can promote air circulation.

A module which is configured as a so-called skeleton module has no sidewalls, no roof and no base wall. Modules of this type in which theelectrical components carried by the module are substantially freelyaccessible, must be pushed into a slide-in compartment of the typedescribed here for operational use. The slide-in compartment bringsabout a secure guidance of the module, ensures a correct contacting ofelectrical connections, brings about a secure locking and ensures thatthe type of protection is achieved.

The slide-in compartment must be installed in a shell or a housing whichreceives those components which allow the module to be connected toexternal consumers and with its control. Usually several slide-incompartments are placed in a control panel.

The slide-in compartment can be implemented in several ways. It can beexecuted as a single slide-in compartment, fitting exactly to a specificrespective module or as a multiple slide-in compartment for severalmodules arranged adjacent to one another. A multiple arrangement ofmodules above one another is also feasible.

Advantageously an arrangement comprises a slide-in compartment of thetype described here and a module for insertion into a housing or forremoval from a housing, wherein the module comprises a base body havinga front wall and a rear wall, wherein parallel elongate strip partsextend between the front wall and the rear wall, the longitudinalextension whereof spaces apart the front wall and the rear wall, andwherein at least one strip part has a guide leg for cooperation with aguide counter-element.

A strip part can have a carrying function and a guide function. A strippart substantially increases the torsional stability of a module duringits movement. By this means, electrical devices such as for examplecontacts, switches or control units can be effectively protected. Astrip part can cooperate with a guide counter-element in a slide-incompartment of a housing or switchgear cabinet in such a manner that themodule is guided securely during insertion and removal.

Advantageously the guide leg projects freely outwards with an outeredge. Alternatively or additionally, the strip part has only one guideleg. This allows a particularly defined guidance of the module. Astrip-like guide leg increases the bending stiffness of the strip part.A freely projecting guide leg additionally creates space for assemblyelements such as screws.

Further advantageously the strip part has three legs, wherein the guideleg and two further mounting legs are each inclined with respect to oneanother and have a protruding outer edge. As a result the strip part hasa type of star shape. The ray-like protruding mounting legs do notinterfere with the guide leg when screws are fastened onto these.

Against this background, advantageously at least one mounting leg has atleast one screw hole or a plurality of screw holes. As a result of agrid-like or pattern-like arrangement of screw holes on the strip parts,equipment can be fastened in the module in manifold ways. An adjustablemechanical coding of the modules is also made possible as a result.

Advantageously the guide leg has at least one recess. A recess or aplurality of recesses can constitute a mechanical coding so that amodule can only be brought to a specific location in a housing orswitchgear cabinet.

Further advantageously the strip part is configured to be Y-shaped incross-section. Preferably all the strip parts are configured to beY-shaped. This shape makes it possible to accommodate screws without thescrew heads being able to impede the sliding function of the module. TheY shape brings about a high torsional stability and bending strength ofthe strip parts and/or the entire module.

Advantageously four strip parts are provided. The removable and movablemodule is designed so that four strip parts running depthwise, namely inthe insertion direction, take over the mechanical connection of a frontand a rear wall and also the guidance of the module in two directions.In this respect, a strip part is a carrying part and a guide part.

Further advantageously the front wall and the rear wall areinterconnected by means of at least one strip part or by all the stripparts. The strip parts allow a good access to equipment which isaccommodated inside the module.

Advantageously at least one strip part can be connected or is connectedpositively to the front wall and/or rear wall. The positive connectionsimplifies the assembly of the module. The preferably four Y-shapedstrip parts are connected positively to the front and the rear wall andsecured by riveting, screwing, latching or welding.

Further advantageously an arrangement comprises a module of the typedescribed here and a housing, wherein the module can be moved in theinsertion direction or removal direction and wherein the insertiondirection and the removal direction are oriented parallel to at leastone strip part. Thus, the module can be used in switching devices orswitchgear cabinets. Uses in the low-voltage area are feasible. An IP43type of protection can be achieved by using sealing strips. The size ofthe module is determined by the dimensions of the front wall and therear wall.

The module, the slide-in compartment and/or the arrangement can be usedin a low-voltage switching installation, in particular a low voltageswitchgear.

FIG. 1 shows a module for insertion into a housing 14 or for removalfrom a housing 14 comprising a base body 1 having a front wall 2 and arear wall 3. Parallel elongate strip parts 4 extend between the frontwall 2 and the rear wall 3, the longitudinal extension whereof spacesapart the front wall 2 and the rear wall 3, wherein at least one strippart 4 has a guide leg 4 a for cooperation with a guide counter-element13 shown in FIG. 3. The direction of insertion is shown by the arrow inFIG. 1.

The guide leg 4 a projects freely outwards with an outer edge. The strippart 4 has only one guide leg 4 a. Specifically four strip parts 4 areprovided, wherein each strip part 4 has only one guide leg 4 a.

The front wall 2 and the rear wall 3 are interconnected by all the stripparts 4. Each strip part 4 is positively connected to the front wall 2and the rear wall 3. The front wall 2 and the rear wall 3 are made ofmetal in a contact-safe manner. The front wall 2 consists of twoelements, wherein an inner element primarily takes over fasteningfunctions and an outer element principally functions as an opticalscreen. Actuating devices for switching elements 5 and for a lockingsystem 6 are arranged in the front wall 2. The actuating devices can beconfigured as two separate actuating devices or be combined in onedevice. A handle element 7 is furthermore fastened to the front wall 2.

In addition to a primary structure, a separately removable control unitis also located in the module. The operating and display panel 8 of thecontrol unit is also located in the front wall 2 and therefore is easilyaccessible. The rear wall 3 is provided for fastening primary contacts,namely input and output, and control contacts.

At least one electrical device 12 is accommodated inside the module. Asa result of the skeleton structure of the module which is created by thestrip parts 4, electrical equipment inside the module is readilyaccessible.

Two strip parts 4 are interconnected by a transverse strut 9. Thetransverse strut 9 is oriented substantially orthogonally to the stripparts 4 but can also have a different inclination relative to the stripparts 4. The transverse strut 9 prevents sagging of long strip parts 4.

FIG. 2 shows in a perspective view a strip part 4 as installed in themodule according to FIG. 1.

The strip part 4 has three legs, wherein the guide leg 4 a and twofurther mounting legs 4 b are each inclined with respect to one anotherand each have a freely projecting outer edge.

The outer edge of the guide leg 4 a is rounded. The guide leg 4 a isformed by folding.

Each mounting leg 4 b has a plurality of screw holes 10. The guide leg 4a has a plurality of recesses 11. The strip part 4 is configured to beY-shaped in cross-section.

FIG. 3 shows a slide-in compartment 14 a for receiving a module,comprising a receiving opening 15, a compartment base 16 and a roof 16.The compartment base 16 and the roof 16 are configured as identicalcomponents.

At least one side wall 17 is provided, which has two guide webs 18,wherein a lower guide web 18 is assigned to or facing the compartmentbase 16 and an upper guide web 18 is assigned to or facing the roof 16.

The side wall 17 is assigned a wall strip 19 on the compartment baseside. The side wall 17 is assigned a further wall strip 19 on the roofside.

The wall strip 19 receives a spring element 20 which extends in thedirection of the interior of the slide-in compartment 14 a. The springelement 20 is configured to be rectangular and flat.

The compartment base 16 has a recess 21 for receiving grid-like parts.

The slide-in compartment 14 a is configured constructively as a metalsleeve which is open at the front. The sleeve comprises a bottom sheetas compartment base 16 and a roof sheet as roof 16, wherein the sheetsare connected to side walls 17.

Located at the rear end of the slide-in compartment 14 a is acompartment rear wall 22 which receives components for contacting. Ifthese components for contacting are arranged in a surrounding controlpanel, this compartment rear wall 22 can however be completely orpartially omitted.

The slide-in compartment 14 a described here is formed by a compartmentbase 16 which is fastened in the control panel. The compartment base 16has large recesses 21 which can receive grid-like parts which arenecessary for achieving the type of protection required in each case.Further cut-outs 23 enable a fixing and/or locking of the module in itsrespective positions.

These positions are usually the so-called separating position in which asecure separation of the electrical contacts is achieved and theso-called operating position in which a completely connected contactingis achieved.

A delimitation to the left and right is accomplished by U-shaped sidewalls 17 which are likewise provided with large cut-outs for aircirculation and receiving protection-type elements.

The short legs of these U-shaped side walls, namely the guide webs 18act at the bottom and at the top as guidance for the strip parts 4 ofthe module having a Y-shaped cross-section but only in the upward anddownward movement.

The lateral guidance of the module is taken over by four wall strips 19which are configured as plastic strips. The plastic strips are arrangedin each corner of the slide-in compartment 14 a. They sit on the shortlegs of the U-shaped side walls 17 and positively connect the otherwisestill loose side walls 17 to the lower compartment base 16 and the uppercompartment base 16.

For fixing the plastic strips these are screwed to the side walls 17.The plastic strips are configured so that they can receive springelements 20. These spring elements 20 can consist of metal or plastic.They are used for lateral compensation of the tolerance of the modules.Specifically eight spring elements 20 are provided in a slide-incompartment 14 a.

If the spring elements 20 are made of metal, they assist the earthing ofthe modules. Further functions of the plastic strips are the fixing ofthe grid-like parts 24 to achieve the type of protection in the lateraldirection and the fastening of a counterpiece for mechanical coding ofthe modules.

The housing 14 in which the slide-in compartments 14 a are arranged orconfigured is not restricted to a configuration as a switchgear cabinetbut can be configured as any container or shelf into which modules canbe slid.

The module according to FIG. 1 is configured in this respect as slide-inmodule and configured in the manner of a drawer.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and descriptionare to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Itwill be understood that changes and modifications may be made by thoseof ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. Inparticular, the present invention covers further embodiments with anycombination of features from different embodiments described above andbelow. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the inventionrefer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily allembodiments.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadestreasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. Forexample, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an elementshould not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements.Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as beinginclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “Aand B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing descriptionthat only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “atleast one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a groupof elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted asrequiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C,regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise.Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B orC” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from thelisted elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., Aand B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.

Reference List  1 Base body  2 Front wall  3 Rear wall  4 Strip part  4aGuide leg  4b Mounting leg  5 Actuating device for switching elements  6Actuating device for locking system  7 Handle element  8 Operating anddisplay panel  9 Transverse strut 10 Screw hole 11 Recess 12 Electricaldevice 14 Housing 14a Slide-in compartment 15 Receiving opening 16Compartment base, roof 17 Side wall 18 Guide web of 17 19 Wall strip 20Spring element 21 Recess 22 Compartment rear wall 23 Cut-out 24Grid-like part

What is claimed is:
 1. A slide-in compartment for receiving a module,comprising: a receiving opening; a compartment base; and a roof, whereinthe compartment base and the roof are configured as identicalcomponents.
 2. The slide-in compartment according to claim 1, wherein atleast one side wall is provided, which has two guide webs, and wherein alower guide web is assigned to or faces the compartment base and anupper guide web is assigned to or faces the roof
 3. The slide-incompartment according to claim 2, wherein the at least one side wall isassigned a wall strip on a compartment base side, and wherein the atleast one side wall is assigned a wall strip on the roof side.
 4. Theslide-in compartment according to claim 3, wherein the wall stripreceives a spring element which extends in a direction of an interior ofthe slide-in compartment.
 5. The slide-in compartment according to claim1, wherein the compartment base has a recess configured to receivegrid-like parts.
 6. An arrangement, comprising: the slide-in compartmentaccording to claim 1; and a module configured to be inserted into ahousing or to be removed from a housing, the module comprising a basebody having a front wall and a rear wall, parallel elongate strip partsextending between the front wall and the rear wall, a longitudinalextension whereof spaces apart the front wall and the rear wall, whereinat least one strip part has a guide leg configured to cooperate with aguide counter-element.
 7. The arrangement according to claim 6, whereinthe guide leg projects freely outwards with an outer edge, and/orwherein the at least one strip part has only one guide leg.
 8. Thearrangement according to claim 6, wherein the at least one strip parthas three legs, and wherein the guide leg and two further mounting legsare each inclined with respect to one another and have a projectingouter edge.
 9. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the atleast one strip part is Y-shaped in cross-section.